Rice back to full speed

After missing practice Wednesday and Thursday with a foot injury, receiver Sidney Rice not only returned but was back to full speed Friday in the final preparation before heading to Toronto for Sunday's game against Buffalo. "(Rice) did fine today and made it through practice," coach Pete Carroll said. "He’s fine, he went full speed today. He’s got a sore foot but he’s fine, I don’t think there’s any issue with that at all." Rice was in a protective boot in Wednesday's practice.

Carroll announced that cornerback Walter Thurmond is out after suffering a hamstring injury in Wednesday's practice. CB Marcus Trufant (hamstring) is also ruled out, but Carroll said he's getting closer to a return. Their absences again mean more playing time for Byron Maxwell and Jeremy Lane. "We'll play (Maxwell and Lane) in the rotation," Carroll said. "Those guys did well last week and got extensive play."

WR Charly Martin is listed as out with a calf injury.

LB Leroy Hill, who has been down with an ankle injury the past two weeks, will start, but his replacement Malcolm Smith also will play, as Carroll said the "competition will continue there. ... He has extraordinary speed and it shows up on the field. Malcolm has played very well the past two weeks … he’ll play a lot in this game." Smith's speed could be of particular value against Buffalo rusher C.J. Spiller, who is averaging 6.6 yards per carry. "They're explosive," Carroll said. "We'll see Spiller more; he's got great numbers in the running and passing game; we have to really tune into him. He's a factor who can really change things."

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The Hawks finished their first week of going through any practice without pads, having reached their limited of padded practices mandated by the collective-bargaining agreement. "It bothers the heck out of us as coaches, but it's relative," Carroll said. "Everybody's basically in the same mode right now. All of a sudden, now, you’re going to play the game of football and you’re practicing without pads on and there’s something different about that." The biggest concern Carroll has is that it might lead to a loss of technique by players on the offensive and defensive lines.

Other notables on the injury report for Friday: Kam Chancellor (groin), Red Bryant (foot) and Marshawn Lynch (back/foot) are probable.

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